Automatic cars under €15,000

An automatic gearbox makes all the difference in traffic around Brussels or on the Antwerp ring road. Under €15,000, you'll find them on city cars, compacts and family cars a few years old. It's a good choice if you drive a lot in town or simply don't enjoy changing gear.

Not all automatics are the same. There are conventional torque-converter gearboxes, dual-clutch gearboxes and continuously variable transmissions. They behave differently and need different maintenance. Find out which type the car you're interested in has.

What to check before you buy

• Gearbox servicing. Ask for the invoices. If the manufacturer specifies a gearbox oil change, check that it has been done.
• Cold behaviour. Start the car with a cold engine and shift from P to R, then to D. No clunk, no unusual delay.
• Gear changes. On the test drive, they should be smooth, with no slipping or jerking, when accelerating and when slowing down.
• The Car-Pass. Under two months old and checked with its QR code.

Take a test drive of at least 20 minutes, in town and on a fast road. If in doubt, suggest a diagnostic check at a garage. Gearbox repairs are expensive: better to know beforehand.